About us

The Hanson/Henson/Hansen surname in its various forms has its origins in those parts of Northern Europe where it was common to form a surname by adding -son or -sen to the individual's father's name. Originally the surname changed each generation but the practice of passing on fixed surnames spread gradually to everywhere except Iceland. Families also often had to adopt a fixed surname earlier than their closest relatives if they migrated to a region or country where this was required of them by the local administration.
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The Hanson/Henson/Hansen Project welcomes any family whose current surname is one of those listed, no matter when or where the surname was adopted. Y chromosome DNA is tested so a male representative of the family is required. Because of the large number of independent origins of the surname, members may find that their closest matches are with individuals with different surnames. Members are encouraged to join geographical and Y-Haplogroup Projects in addition to this Project to help discover more about their ancestry.

You are also welcome to join if your current surname is not Hanson/Henson etc but you have reason to believe that your paternal ancestors had one of the project surnames. Please note that until a match is found confirming the link you will be listed as an "Associate Member". You should also join the Project for your current surname.

Finally, anyone who closely matches an existing project member (at 64/67 markers or closer) is welcome regardless of surname and whether a connection is known, suspected or unknown. You will be placed in the corresponding lineage grouping and the additional surname noted in the grouping header.

All members are encouraged to submit information about their paternal ancestry to the Project. This information will be summarised on the Project News and Results Pages. (Please state clearly if any information is to be kept private, otherwise it will be assumed that all information, other than details of people still living, is available for publication).